Senator Bong Go said he has filed a bill in the Senate seeking to extend the terms of incumbent barangay officials to ensure the continuity of their service to their constituents.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala. Isusulong ko po ang pag-extend ng termino ninyo,” Go said during his speech in front of officials and residents of a fire-hit Makati City barangay which he had recently visited.
“Basta huwag n’yo pong pababayaan ang mga biktima ng mga sakuna gaya ng sunog,” the legislator added.
“The postponement of the previous barangay elections has limited the term of current officials to only two years.”
As promised during his election campaign, Go filed a bill calling for the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated this May 2020 to October of 2022 to give barangay officials ample time to finish their respective programs and projects.
“Mga barangays natin ang pinaka-frontline ng ating gobyerno sa paghahatid ng serbisyo at sa kampanya natin laban sa iligal na droga at kriminalidad. Kaya dapat lang na mabigyan natin sila ng sapat na panahon upang makapagpatupad ng kani-kanilang mga programa at proyekto sa kanilang mga nasasakupan,” he said adding that the postponement of the previous barangay elections has limited the term of current officials to only two years.
Go visited residents of Makati’s Barangay Olympia, which was struck by fire last July 6. Some 59 families and 175 individuals were left homeless as about 37 houses were reported to have been destroyed by the fire.
Along with officials from different government agencies, the senator extended help and assistance to the victims.
Among the agencies that provided help to the victims are the National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“Inimbita ko rito ang mga kasama ko sa gobyerno para bigyan kayo ng tulong,” he said. “Alam ko rin po na ang city government ay magbibigay din ng tulong sa inyo.”
Go also personally extended his help to each family by giving them financial assistance, grocery packs and school supplies.
“Mayroon po akong personal na tulong mula sa aking mga kaibigan. Financial assistance at pagkain. May dala rin ho ako na bagong school supplies at uniporme para makabalik na sa eskwela ang mga bata na nabiktima ng sunog,” he said.
“I plan to solve homelessness in the country by filing a bill providing for a comprehensive housing program for Filipinos.”
Go also shared with the residents his plan to solve homelessness in the country by filing a bill that it signed into law, will provide a comprehensive and long term housing program for Filipinos.
“Recently lang, nagfile ako ng National Housing Development, Production and Financing (NHDPF) Act. Long term housing program po ito ng gobyerno para wala na maging squatter sa sarili nating bansa,” he said.
“Alam ko mahirap pero magandang plano ito para magkaroon kayo ng sarili ninyong bahay. ‘Yun po ang aming tututukan, ang mga nangangailangan, mahihirap at mga biktima ng sakuna,” Go added.
The NHDPF Act aims to address the housing needs of Filipinos by generating and mobilizing sustainable funds for housing, and encouraging public and private sector participation in the said program, said Go.